Turn to a cool old friend

Budget-conscious and environmentally aware homeowners are increasingly returning to the ceiling fan.

PROPERTY NEWS - When temperatures soar in the South African summer, so do the sales of air-conditioning units - and household electricity bills.

The reason is that air-conditioning units (ACs) can use almost as much power to keep you cool as a heater does to keep you warm in winter.

For example, a single 1 500W window or room AC running six hours a day will cost you an estimated R500 a month to run at current South African electricity tariffs.

"In addition, all those ACs going full blast in our homes, shops and offices are putting strain on South Africa's already overtaxed power grid - and adding to the air pollution emitted by our coal-fired power stations," notes Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group.

"So budget-conscious and environmentally aware homeowners are increasingly returning to an old favourite, the ceiling fan, which produces a natural 'wind chill' effect that immediately makes one feel cooler, whatever the temperature may be, and will typically cost about R40 to R50 a month to run."

He says that to get the full cooling benefits, though, you have to install the right size fan in the right position.

"Sizes generally run from about 1m to 2m across and optimal air circulation occurs in square areas. A 1,5m fan will suit a 3m x 3m room, for example, but if you're cooling a large, rectangular room, you should use two or more fans, evenly spaced."

You also need to consider ceiling height. Most manufacturers recommend a 3m fan-to-floor distance if possible and, for safety reasons, a ceiling fan should never be mounted less than 2m from the floor.

Since the average ceiling fan weighs in at 8kg or more, it will also need to be securely anchored to a sturdy roof truss or beam and should be professionally installed, Everitt says. "And an electrician will need to certify its safety as part of your home's electrical system, or it could void your home owner's insurance cover."

Another factor to consider is the number of fan blades and the materials they are made from. To work properly, ceiling fans should ideally have three to six blades, but balance is more important than the number, as uneven blades will cause the fan to wobble. It is thus important to select fans with rust-free finishes and blades that won't warp, especially in damp coastal climates.

And finally, he says, if you're replacing an overhead light with a fan / light combination, you need to decide what controls to look for.